An April MacBook Air sale is in effect, with Best Buy slashing the M2 model with 16GB RAM to $749. But supply is limited, and Amazon has already sold out of its stock.Grab a MacBook Air for $749 while supplies last.You can grab the $749 MacBook Air 13-inch deal at Best Buy, marking a return of the top-selling deal on the budget-friendly laptop. Equipped with the M2 chip with an 8-core GPU, this model also has 16GB of unified memory and 256GB of storage.Buy for $749 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple appears to be testing a Samsung-made OLED display for a future iPad mini, signaling a long-awaited update to the compact tablet lineup.iPad Mini 6A new report aligns with earlier claims that Samsung had begun 8-inch OLED panels tailored for an iPad mini refresh.According to Digital Chat Station, a leaker on Weibo who has had accurate predictions about iPhone cameras, Apple has started evaluating a small-sized OLED panel supplied by Samsung Display. The screen under testing is likely destined for the iPad mini. Rumor Score: Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

If you're an experienced architecture professional looking for a new career opportunity, check out this week's edition of ourcurated jobs roundupfromArchinect Jobs.Below, we highlight 17 employers inthegreater Los Angeles areacurrently hiringProject ManagersandProject Architects.To look up specific job titles from the architectural profession, consultArchinect's Guide to Job Titlesseries. Also, follow ourArchinect Tipsseries to improve your portfolio, resume, interviewing skills, and increase your overall chances of getting that next job. Clive Wilkinson Architects seeks aProject Architect/Residential Architect in Culver City"Clive Wilkinson Architects is seeking to hire a highly motivated and skilled Project Architect/Residential Architect with 5 to 10 years of relevant experience for exciting new residential projects." Qualifications include proficiency with Revit, AutoCAD, and other design programs, such as Newforma and Adobe Creative Suite. Applicants should al...

New moves and abilities in combat are based upon unlocking a variety of skills spread across four distinct skill trees in The First Berserker: Khazan. Everything from Javelin throws to overhead stealth attacks can be unlocked by earning and investing skill points in individual skills.This guide has everything there is to know about earning those skill points by raising Mastery Levels quickly and efficiently in The First Berserker: Khazan.How To Earn Skill PointsEarning skill points is fairly straightforward, and is not to be confused with regular levelling from XP aka Lacrima. By simply engaging in combat with various weapons, while using a variety of moveslight, heavy, and specialyou will begin to fill the Mastery Level meter. Each time the meter is fully filled, you will gain a Mastery Level and earn a single skill point.Whether battling regular enemies or major bosses, and regardless of winning or losing the encounters, you will fill the Mastery Level meter. Unlike Lacrima, these gains are not lost on death, nor do they need to be retrieved from your corpse.For best results, choose a lone enemy that you feel confident battling and simply parry or block their attacks. Parrying adds 1% to the Mastery Level meter, and blocking half of a percent. Actively attacking the enemy only adds a third of a percent to the meter, and will eventually kill the enemy, so is not worthwhile for grinding Mastery Levels.Mastery LevelMastery levels are tied to story progression, as this is a balancing mechanic. Once the Mastery Level cap is hit, no amount of combat will increase the meters progress, though you can continue to earn Lacrima to raise your main level and associated stats. In order to progress past the Mastery Level caps and proceed further up the skill trees, certain story conditions will have to be met:Mastery Level 12Complete Trials of the Frozen MountainDefeat Blade PhantomMastery Level 16Complete Forgotten PlaceDefeat ViperMastery Level 20Complete First Act of RevengeDefeat VolbainoMastery Level 24Complete Strange StenchDefeat AratraMastery Level 28Complete Traitor RevealedDefeat RangkusMastery Level 32Complete Veiled KnivesDefeat MalucaThat is how to raise your Mastery Level and earn Skill Points fast in The First Berserker: Khazan.

There are almost 70 full sets of gear in The First Berserker: Khazan, composed of weapons, armor, and accessories. As you collect and concurrently equip multiple pieces of any given set, certain set abilities become available, granting passive bonuses and buffs. With so many aesthetically appealing gear sets to choose from, it will come down to making a judgment based on their set bonuses, especially after the Transmog features are finally unlocked in New Game Plus. Beyond that, you will also unlock the ability to craft Legendary quality-tier gear sets in NG++.This guide has a small selection of some of the best gear sets grouped by each of the three weight classes, and based on their various attributes, as well as their lootable locations in The First Berserker: Khazan.Crimson Fiend SetLightweight Armor TypeVarious pieces of the Crimson Fiend will drop from random enemies.Finding the Crimson Fiends Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.Sentinels GreatswordCrimson Fiend MaskCrimson Fiend TopCrimson Fiend WristguardsCrimson Fiend PantsCrimson Fiend ShacklesBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:15% Enraged Damage Increase10% Charged Attack Damage Increase100 Mortal Blow Skill & Charged Attack Stamina Recovery30% Enraged Received Damage Decrease20% Mortal Blow Damage IncreaseFugitive Mage SetLightweight Armor TypeVarious random pieces of the Fugitive Mage Set will drop from Bellerian in the Rephalan Mountains, a location in the Heart of Pell Los Region.Finding the Fugitive Mages Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.Fugitive Mages GreatswordFugitive Mages HeadpieceFugitive Mages RobeFugitive Mages WristguardsFugitive Mages PantsFugitive Mages ShoesFugitive Mages RingNecklace of Untold TruthsBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:10% Charged Attack Damage Increase15% Guard Stamina Damage Decrease15% Armor Breaker Skill Stamina Damage Increase10% Brink Guard Stamina Damage Increase for 5s15% Heart Piercer Skill Damage Increase15% Brink Guard Damage Increase for 5sHeart Piercer: Fury SkillMaster of Chaos SetLightweight Armor TypeVarious random pieces of the Master of Chaos Set will drop from Ozma in the Imperial Palace, a location in the Vitalon Capital of the Empire Region.Finding the Master of Chaos Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.Ozmas Dual WieldOzmas HornsOzmas WingsOzmas ClawsOzmas ShroudOzmas GaitersBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:500 Chaos Resistance20% Phantom: Sword Dance Skill Stamina Damage Increase for 15s15% Phantom: Sword Dance Skill Damage Increase20% Enemy Exhausted Damage IncreasePhantom: Bloody Sword Dance SkillChaos-Ridden SetHeavyweight Armor TypeVarious random pieces of the Chaos-Ridden Set will drop from Maluca in Nadin Quarry, a location in the Pell Los Plateau Region.Finding the Chaos-Ridden Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.Chaos-Ridden GreatswordChaos-Ridden HelmChaos-Ridden PauldronsChaos-Ridden GauntletChaos-Ridden LeggingsChaos-Ridden ShoesBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:Brink Guard: Gain Regeneration, stacks 5 times4% Brink Guard Damage Increase for 10s, stacks 5 times0.15 Brink Guard: Spirit AccumulationSpirit Skill: Gain ConsumedVolcanic Wrath Spirit SkillGolden SetHeavyweight Armor TypeVarious pieces of the Golden Set will drop from random enemies.Finding the Golden Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.A full Golden Set can also be retrieved from a chest secreted behind a destructible wall beyond the New Town Blade Nexus in Capital City Vitalon, a location in the Vitalon Capital of the Empire Region. This can be done during the course of the endgame mission Fall of the Empire.Survivors SpearGolden HelmGolden PauldronsGolden GauntletGolden LeggingsGolden Combat BootsBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:15% Dodge Stamina Cost Decrease10% Rear Assault Stamina Damage Increase20% Trance Skill Damage Increase10% Rear Assault Damage IncreaseMoonlight: Awakening SkillFallen Lord SetHeavyweight Armor TypeVarious random pieces of the Fallen Lord Set will drop from Viper in Embars Ruins, a location in the Charnak Mountain Range Region.Finding the Fallen Lords Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.Fallen Lords SpearFallen Lords HelmFallen Lords PauldronsFallen Lords GauntletFallen Lords LeggingsFallen Lords ShoesBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:10% Charged Attack Damage Increase25% Brink Dodge Stamina Recovery Rate Increase for 10s10% Enemy Exhausted Damage Increase15% Full Moon Skill Damage Increase15% Spiral Thrust Spirit Skill Damage IncreaseDeep Shadow SetPlate Armor TypeVarious pieces of the Deep Shadow Set will drop from random enemies.Finding the Deep Shadow Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.Formless Warriors SpearDeep Shadow HelmDeep Shadow PauldronsDeep Shadow GauntletDeep Shadow LeggingsDeep Shadow ShoesBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:15% Frontal Assault Stamina Damage Increase10% Frontal Assault Damage Increase90% Guard Penetration15% Assault Skill Damage Increase20% Afterimage Thrust Skill Damage IncreaseDevourer of Darkness SetPlate Armor TypeVarious random pieces of the Devourer of Darkness Set will drop from Aratra in Skoffa Cave, a location in the Charnak Mountain Range Region.Finding the Man-Eating Spiders Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.Devourer of Darkness GreatswordDevourer of Darkness HelmDevourer of Darkness TopDevourer of Darkness WristguardsDevourer of Darkness PantsDevourer of Darkness ShoesBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:15% Charged Attack Stamina Damage Increase for 10s15% Enemy Poison Damage Increase100% Ghost Arm Block Skill Stamina Damage IncreaseBrutal Attack: Enemy PoisonGhost Arm Block: Overpower SkillUnending Tragedy SetPlate Armor TypeVarious random pieces of the Unending Tragedy Set will drop from Princess Ilyna in Rovelion Imperial Theater, a location in the Heart of Pell Los Region.Finding the Unending Tragedy Scroll will make it craftable at the Blacksmith.Dual Wield of Unending TragedyHelm of Unending TragedyPauldrons of Unending TragedyGauntlet of Unending TragedyLeggings of Unending TragedyShoes of Unending TragedyScarlet Robins RingNecklace of the Singing HawkBeginning with a single piece equipped, each additional piece will progressively unlock:15% Composed Damage Increase1.5% Attack Stamina Recovery Rate Increase for 7s, stacks 20 times15% Dodge Stamina Cost Decrease100 Brink Dodge Stamina RecoveryCrimson Tempest Skill1% Attack Damage Increase for 7s, stacks 20 timesCrimson Tempest: Gust SkillThose are just 9 of the most powerful gear sets out of the nearly 70 to be looted or crafted in The First Berserker: Khazan.

New ResearchWhy Were These Teenagers Chosen as Human Sacrifices at an Ancient Mesopotamian Cemetery?Researchers previously assumed that some of the graves at the site were royal burials. A new study presents a different theory, which challenges existing ideas about early class structures Thousands of years ago, people had been buried both inside and outside of this cist tomb. Cambridge Archaeological JournalIn modern-day Turkey, a cemetery dating to the early Bronze Age holds burials full of luxurious goodsand numerous human sacrifices.Archaeologists have long been puzzled by the details of the sacrificial rituals. But a recent study published in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal has revealed a telling detail that sheds new light on the narrative: The richest tombs in the cemetery are filled with teenagers. Beadwork associated with burials inside and outside a cist tomb Cambridge Archaeological JournalThe site, called Baur Hyk, is located in Turkeys southeastern Siirt province at the margins of the ancient region ofMesopotamia. Between roughly 3100 and 2800 B.C.E., communities began performing conspicuous and sometimes violent funerary rites at the cemetery, per the study.Eighteen graves have been found at the site: simple pits, pits covered with stone and buriedchambers built with stones, which were filled with copper items, cloth and beads.Previously, researchers had identified one of these treasure-filled burials as a royal tomb. It held two children, who were surrounded by goods and apparenthuman sacrifices. Metallic, copper-based grave goods from Basur Hoyuk Cambridge Archaeological JournalExperts initially thought these burials belonged to royals, whose attendants were sacrificed and buried alongside them in a ritual symbolizing the transition to the afterlife and the maintenance of social order even after death, as La Brjula Verdes Guillermo Carvajal writes. This theory was based on the idea that by the early Bronze Age, Mesopotamian societies were ruled by kings and organized into social hierarchies.But the new study complicates that idea. When researchers analyzed nine such sacrifices from the cemetery, they found that the victims were chosen for specific reasons: Many of them were girls, and most had died between the ages of 12 and 18. They also werent biologically related.The fact that they are mostly adolescents is fascinating and surprising, lead authorDavid Wengrow, an archaeologist at University College London, tellsLive Sciences Kristina Killgrove. It highlights how little thought scientists and historians have really given to the importance of adolescence as a crucial stage in the human life cycle.The study suggests that rather than class structure or close kinship, the children at Baur Hyk were killed and buried together because of their age.We are dealing with adolescents brought together, or coming together voluntarily, from biologically unrelated groups to carry out a very extreme form of ritual, Wengrow tells Live Science.Adolescence is a stage of development unique to the human life course that has long been a crucial arena for social experimentation, write the researchers. As such, its possible that the ancient inhabitants of Baur Hyk chose human sacrifice victims based not on class, but on ritual associations of youths or ranked age sets that formed long before such arrangements broke out into the wider arena of human political affairs.The researchers will continue to examine the skeletons of Baur Hyk. As Wengrow tells Live Science, many of the buried teenagers dont appear to be locals. The team is still working to learn more about their origins.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.

Enormous, Crocodile-Sized Amphibians Mysteriously Died Together in Wyoming 230 Million Years AgoPaleontologists found a group of four-legged Triassic creatures preserved in the same bone bedbut they dont know what killed the animals A skull of the Triassic amphibian Buettnererpeton bakerigets uncovered for the first time in 230 million years. Researchers found it in a cache of skeletons that were well-preserved and appear to be relatively undisturbed over time. Dave LovelaceRoughly 230 million years ago, a group of alligator-sized amphibians convened on a floodplain in what is now west-central Wyoming. For some mysterious reason, the creatures all died around the same time.Sediment slowly covered their bodies. For millennia, their fossilized bones remained hidden inside layers of rockuntil now.Paleontologists recently unearthed the creatures well-preserved skeletons and are now trying to piece together what killed them, according to a new paper published April 2 in the journal PLOS One. The fossil cache may also offer new insights into the lives of these long-extinct amphibians, called Buettnererpeton bakeri.B. bakeri was a primitive, four-legged amphibian that lived in North America during the Triassic Period, which spanned between 201 million and 252 million years ago. The species belonged to a group of amphibians known as metoposaurid temnospondyls, which were the ancestors of todays salamanders, frogs and toads.Researchers think B. bakeri lived in freshwater lakes, ponds and rivers, where it hunted fish and amphibiansand anything else tasty that came along. But they dont know much about the creatures lifestyle and habits, because they havent found very many B. bakeri fossils.The recent discovery might change that: The bone bed unearthed at a site called Nobby Knob in Dubois, Wyoming, more than doubles the total number of known B. bakeri specimens. While digging through rocks dating to 230 million years ago, paleontologists found the fossilized remains of at least 19 individuals, writes Live Sciences Skyler Ware. The Wyoming cache more than doubles the number of known B. bakeri specimens. Kufner et al., PLOS One, 2025The bones are relatively undisturbed and seem to be arranged in much the same way they were positioned when the animals died. This suggests the amphibians perished in calm waters and were gently buried by layers of fine sediment over time. Even very delicate parts of the creatures skeletons were preserved, according to a statement from the journal. Paleontologists also found fossilized poop, plants and bivalve mollusks at the site.There are some articulated bones that are nearly absent in other metoposaurid bone beds in North America, and completely unknown for Buettnererpeton, study co-authors Dave Lovelaceand Aaron Kufner, who are both geoscientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, tell Popular Sciences Andrew Paul.Since the bones dont appear to have been moved by strong currents, researchers suspect the creatures died around the same time and in the same placeleaving behind something of a paleontological crime scene, as Paul Smaglik writes for Discover magazine.This assemblage is a snapshot of a single population, rather than an accumulation over time, Kufner says in the statement.But what were they all doing together? And what caused the mass die-off? One possible explanation is that the animals got stuck when nearby waterways dried up during a drought. They may have gathered to breed.For now, at least, their deaths remain an unsolved mystery.More broadly, scientists dont know whether die-offs like this one were common for the large Triassic amphibians, because most bone beds discovered so far contain remains that were transported there by flowing water. Its possible the B. bakeri mass mortality event was a rare fluke.Scientists want to explore these and other questions by conducting future research. By studying the Wyoming fossils further, they also hope to learn even more about B. bakeris biology, as well as the Triassic ecosystems in which they lived.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.

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QA firm TestFly acquires Brazilian testing company Red CerberusTestFly says the deal will "significantly expand its capabilities"Image credit: TestFly / Red Cerberus News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on April 3, 2025 TestFly, a self-described "leading provider of strategic and innovative quality assurance testing solutions" for the gaming industry has acquired Brazilian testing firm Red Cerberus from tinyBuild.TestFly stopped short of outlining the terms of the acquisition, but some outlets report it was a $1.5m cash deal. The firm said the acquisition will "significantly expand TestFly's capabilities by integrating Red Cerberus' highly skilled team of some 180 professionals and state-of-the-art testing facilities.""The combined organization will provide enhanced automation tools and 24/7 testing coverage through a follow-the-sun model, and increased support across console, PC, and mobile platforms," the company said in a statement.Red Cerberus said the integration into TestFly is already underway and will not interrupt ongoing service for its clients and employees."Were thrilled to welcome Red Cerberus to the TestFly family. Their expertise, reputation, and deep industry knowledge perfectly align with our mission to set new standards in game testing," said TestFly CEO Kevin Chelius."This acquisition reinforces our commitment to helping developers and publishers deliver reliable and high-quality gaming experiences at a global scale, while also strengthening our presence in Latin America."Parent company tinyBuild CEO Alex Nichiporchik added: "The sale of Red Cerberus marks an important milestone in streamlining our portfolio and focusing on what we do best - creating and growing great IP."Red Cerberus has been a valuable partner in our journey, and I'd like to thank the entire team for their dedication."

The biggest threat to the Steam Deck in 2025 wont be the arrival of other Windows-based handheld gaming PCs. Instead, itll likely be the Nintendo Switch 2, which arrives on June 5 for $449.99 smack dab between the cost of the $399 Steam Deck LCD and the $549 Steam Deck OLED. Ironically, the Steam Deck is also the Switch 2s biggest threat. While Nintendos new console may have Valves beat on screen resolution, refresh rate, and a custom Nvidia processor capable of DLSS and ray tracing, Steam trumps it in value, particularly with game prices.RelatedI get it, I get it. Theyre totally different devices. So even though comparing Nintendo and Valves hardware and software philosophies is an apples versus oranges exercise, the two devices and companies are more aligned than you might think. And thats especially true when consumers, whether because of tariffs or other economic reasons, need to choose between one or the other.Youve come to the right place, as well break down all of the specs worth caring about to show how they stack up.Pricing and availabilityAs mentioned, the Switch 2 and the Steam Deck have somewhat similar prices. The Switch 2 will launch on June 5 for $449.99 to start, though there will be a $499.99 bundle available for a limited time that includes Mario Kart World. Preorders go live on Wednesday, April 9th for the console, its accessories, and launch titles.Valves Steam Deck doesnt come with various game bundles, although there are two models to choose from: the $399 Steam Deck LCD (also known simply as Steam Deck) and the Steam Deck OLED, which starts at $549. Several specs, as well as storage amounts, differentiate the two. The Verges Sean Hollister has a review of the Steam Deck OLED that neatly sums up their differences. In the US, the Steam Deck is only available through Steam, Valves online game storefront. Internationally, its available through various stores.Display technologyThis is where things get really interesting. The Switch 2 took many by surprise by featuring a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate. Not only that, it supports VRR and HDR10. Compared to the launch Switch and Switch Lite, both of which had 720p LCDs of varying sizes (6.2 inches in the Switch, 5.5 inches in the Switch Lite), its a big difference in terms of added size, features, more clarity, and smoothness in how games appear onscreen. The same could be said for the Switch 2s screen improvements over the Steam Deck LCD, which has a 7-inch 60Hz LCD touchscreen (with chunky bezels) without VRR or HDR support.Image: NintendoThe Switch OLEDs 7-inch 720p OLED screen may be better than the Switch 2s screen in terms of contrast and viewing angles, but the Switch 2s is faster and better in every other metric.The Switch 2 meets its match in the Steam Deck OLED. Many hoped that Nintendo would come out of the gates with an OLED display, but that still makes Valves $549 handheld special. The Steam Deck OLED has a smaller 800p touchscreen than the Switch 2 at 7.4 inches (but without the chunky bezels of the Deck LCD), but adds 90Hz refresh rate and HDR into the mix. Its a gorgeous screen, with stellar viewing angles and brilliant color reproduction, making 800p games somehow look higher resolution. Some may prefer the higher refresh rate and VRR in the Switch 2, which will allow the screen to quickly adapt to a fluctuating frame rate without tearing. The VRR difference is something you have to experience yourself, and its great to have in the Switch 2 as not many handhelds support it, save for the Lenovo Legion Go S and select others.Performance and battery lifeThere is sure to be more to come in terms of comparing performance between the Switch 2 and the Steam Deck. Hands-on time with the Switch 2 has been limited to a few games coming at launch, so you should expect more on how games available for both compare in terms of visuals and frame rate.We can make some comparisons based on specs. Both the Steam Deck models use a custom AMD APU (bundling the Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU) that plays a swath of PC games relatively smoothly at good-to-great visual quality with surprisingly good battery life. Not every game can take full advantage of the Steam Deck OLEDs 90Hz refresh rate, but thats not a claim Valve makes. Some AMDs FSR graphical upscaling technology is available in select games to reduce the render resolution of the image and upscale it using AI. In many cases, it makes supported games run better on Steam Deck, but with a major hit to visual quality.Photo by The VergeOn the other hand, I think Nintendos Switch 2 is more of a spec powerhouse than anyone expected. It uses a custom Nvidia processor, though almost no details about its power have been unveiled at the time of publishing. Nintendo is publicly targeting up to 120 frames per second in some games in handheld mode, with a 60 frames per second cap at 4K when docked, indicating that theres quite a bit of potential in the Switch 2. Nintendo Switch 2 hardware engineers claim the console utilizes DLSS and ray tracing key features offered by Nvidia graphics cards. Its unclear how these features will be used in titles across the board, and if there are any downsides to its implementation.Switching over to battery life, the Steam Deck has the Switch 2 beat, though for both handhelds its important to note that battery longevity varies wildly depending on the games you play. Balatro, for instance, is less taxing on hardware than Cyberpunk 2077. The Switch 2 has an expected battery life between 2 and 6.5 hours. Valves Steam Deck LCD (which has a 40Wh battery) can last between 2 and 8 hours, while the Steam Deck OLED, thanks to its more efficient display and jump from 40Wh to 50Wh, lasts between 3 and 12 hours.Storage, dock, and moreBy default, the Switch 2 contains 256GB of speedy UFS storage that presumably cannot be upgraded by the end user. However, it can be expanded upon with microSD cards but not just any will do. Its one of the first devices to support microSD Express, which are classified as PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSDs, but are just as tiny as other microSD cards. The console supports up to 2TB capacities, though weve only seen up to 1TB models hit shelves so far (more will certainly show up in time for the Switch 2s June 5th launch).The Steam Deck offers more versatility. For one, all models come with M.2 2230-sized SSDs that can be upgraded by opening the system. Doing so doesnt void the warranty, but youll want to be careful. Once inside, you can replace the SSD with something bigger. Its unclear currently whether the Steam Decks built-in SSD is faster or on a par with the Switch 2s internal storage.If you want to supplement the SSD with more user-friendly expandable storage, each Deck also supports UHS-1 microSD cards. Those are slower than the Switch 2s microSD Express cards, but they do the trick.Photo by Owen Grove / The VergeBoth handhelds can be used as hybrids, either in handheld mode or docked to a TV. Speaking of their handheld use case first, the Switch 2 includes a versatile kickstand, while the Steam Deck doesnt. Placing either on a dock grants you more ports to connect to the console. The Switch 2 dock, which comes with each console, includes an HDMI port, USB-C for power, plus an Ethernet port for wired internet. The Steam Deck docking station is a separate $79 accessory that includes more ports, such as HDMI, DisplayPort, three USB-A ports, Ethernet, and a USB-C port for power.The Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch 2 have USB-C ports that send video out to your display. However, only the Switch 2 features a second USB-C port, located on its top, which can be used to plug in peripherals, such as a camera for GameChat, or numerous other accessories to be released in the future. This Switch 2s secondary USB-C port doesnt support video out. In the case of the Switch 2, its dock unlocks more power capabilities, whereas the Steam Decks dock doesnt increase its power. Games and softwareThe Steam Deck puts your Steam library at your fingertips. Youll be able to play most of them on the Steam Deck, but how each game performs including whether you can launch it at all, due to anti-cheat or other incompatibility reasons varies depending on the game. Valve attempts to make it easy to know whether a game will work well on Steam Deck. If its Verified, that means youll probably have a good experience. If its Playable, there might be some controller-based difficulties that might negatively impact and otherwise good experience. Unsupported games are simply that they either wont work if you boot them, or Valve hasnt tested them and doesnt know what kind of time youre in for. One defining feature of Steam is that the store hosts many sales, and Steam games can be legally acquired through third-party sites at big discounts. Games are often significantly more affordable by comparison to the Switch and other gaming consoles.The Switch 2 supports almost all original Switch games, though there are some titles that have issues. It supports them through a method somewhere in between a software emulator and hardware compatibility, according to Switch 2 developer Takuhiro Dohta. This sounds somewhat similar to Valves Proton, a compatibility layer that allows Windows games to run on the Steam Decks fork of Linux.Image: NintendoContinuing on the Switch 2, there are Switch 2 Edition upgrades to select Switch titles that add flourishes allowed by the more powerful hardware, ranging from faster frames per second and higher resolution (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom), as well as other Switch 2-only features, like GameChat functionality (Super Mario Party: Jamboree - Switch 2 Edition), or mouse controls (Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - Switch 2 Edition). Then, there will be Switch 2-exclusive games, like Mario Kart World, that can only be played on new hardware.Games aside, lets speak about the underlying software. The Switch 2, much like its predecessor, is focused almost exclusively on gaming. We dont yet know whether video streaming services will be available. However, on the Steam Deck, you have the option to switch from gaming to desktop mode, essentially turning it into a Linux desktop. From there, you can install apps of your choosing, run a browser, connect Google accounts to it to type documents anything that comes to mind.By the numbersSpecificationNintendo Switch 2Steam Deck OLEDSteam Deck LCDProcessorCustom Nvidia chipset (details TBD)Custom AMD APUCustom AMD APUScreen type7.9-inch LCD7.4-inch OLED7-inch LCDResolution (handheld)1,920 x 1080, up to 120Hz, VRR, HDR1,280 x 800, up to 90Hz, HDR1,280 x 800, up to 60HzResolution (docked)3,840 x 2,160 at 60Hz, or 1440p/1080p at up to 120Hz7680 x 4320 at 60Hz, or 3840 x 2160 at 120Hz7680 x 4320 at 60Hz, or 3840 x 2160 at 120HzHDR10 support?YesNoNoInternal storage256GB512GB256GBExpandable storagemicroSD Express (up to 2TB)microSD (up to 2TB)microSD (up to 2TB)SensorsAccelerometer / gyroscope, mouse / brightness (in console)Accelerometer / gyroscope / ambient light sensorAccelerometer / gyroscope / ambient light sensorPorts (handheld)2x USB-C / 3.5mmUSB-C / 3.5mmUSB-C / 3.5mmPorts (dock)2x USB-C / HDMI / ethernet3x USB 2.0 / 2x USB-A / USB-C (power adapter) / HDMI / DisplayPort / Ethernet (dock not included)3x USB 2.0 / 2x USB-A / USB-C (power adapter) / HDMI / DisplayPort / Ethernet (dock not included)Wireless connectivityWi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth / NFCWi-Fi 6E / Bluetooth 5.3Dual-band Wi-Fi / Bluetooth 5Wired connectivityEthernet (docked mode)Ethernet via optional dockEthernet via optional dockBuilt-in mic?YesYesYesSpeakersStereo speakersStereo speakersStereo speakersBattery capacity5,220mAh lithium-ion50Wh battery40Wh batteryBattery life (est.)2 to 6.5 hours3 to 12 hours2 to 8 hoursCharging timeAbout 3 hours 30 minutesNot advertisedNot advertisedGame card slotSwitch 2 and Switch cartridgesN/A, uses microSD card (plus internal SSD)N/A, uses microSD card (plus internal SSD)Weight (grams)399.16g (or 535.24g with Joy-Con 2 controllers attached)640 grams669 gramsDimensions4.5 x 10.7 x .55 inches4.6 x 11.7 x 1.92 inches4.6 x 11.7 x 1.92 inchesStarting price$449.99$549.99$399.99AvailableJune 5th, 2025NowNowSee More: